Tacky Tourist Day August 24, 2014

A severe thunderstorm in the middle of last night took out all the electricity on one side of I-29.  Why is this important?  Because Steve was once again thwarted in his efforts to get the RV washed; the truck wash had no electricity!  So, off we went to Rapid City.

South Dakota sunflowers

Going across I-90 in southern South Dakota is an experience in itself.  The terrain is all flat grassland and farms in the east,  fields of sunflowers in the middle, and the beautiful Badlands and Black Hills in the west.  Along the way are two National Parks and numerous tourist traps.  We managed to take in a couple of the latter.

Off to Cabelas

We stopped in Mitchell to see the Corn Palace, but first our guys had to spend a little time in Cabelas.   The Corn Palace was, as usual, "corny",  but we were able to join a tour group and learned a bit more about the building and how the corn murals are made.  It was surprisingly interesting.  We learned the meanings of the interior murals and saw two outside ones that that are works in progress.  Steve, who stayed on the RV while I toured the Palace the last time we were here, joined us this time, but he says it will be his last visit here.

Proof that Steve was there!

Representing Mt. Rushmore, the Badlands, the Black Hills, and SD wildlife.

Ready for the corn to be applied. 

We bypassed the "Original 1880's Village" and proceeded on to Wall Drug Store for our "free ice water."  It is a really tacky tourist place, but since Larry and Bonnie had not experienced its charms, we felt compelled to stop.  At least the ice cream was good.  Of course we also had to take some "tacky tourist" photos!

On we went to Rapid City, where we are staying at an Elk's Club.  Nice, inexpensive camping with 50 amp sites with water.  There is even a golf course!  After setting up and happy hour, we were off for a fast food dinner followed by an early bedtime.